Rechargeable lithium-ion capacitor for an aerosol delivery device

ABSTRACT

An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a reservoir configured to retain an aerosol precursor composition, a heating element, and a power source connected to an electrical load that includes the heating element. The power source includes a lithium-ion capacitor (LIC) configured to provide power to the electrical load, and a DC-to-DC converter connected to the LIC, between the LIC and electrical load. The aerosol delivery device also includes a microprocessor configured to operate in an active mode in which the microprocessor is configured to direct power from the power source to the heating element and thereby control the heating element to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/918,926, entitled: Power Supply for an AerosolDelivery Device, filed on Oct. 21, 2015, the content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices such assmoking articles, and more particularly to aerosol delivery devices thatmay utilize electrically generated heat for the production of aerosol(e.g., smoking articles commonly referred to as electronic cigarettes).The smoking articles may be configured to heat an aerosol precursor,which may incorporate materials that may be made or derived from, orotherwise incorporate tobacco, the precursor being capable of forming aninhalable substance for human consumption.

BACKGROUND

Many devices have been proposed through the years as improvements upon,or alternatives to, smoking products that require combusting tobacco foruse. Many of those devices purportedly have been designed to provide thesensations associated with cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking, butwithout delivering considerable quantities of incomplete combustion andpyrolysis products that result from the burning of tobacco. To this end,there have been proposed numerous alternative smoking products, flavorgenerators, and medicinal inhalers that utilize electrical energy tovaporize or heat a volatile material, or attempt to provide thesensations of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking without burning tobaccoto a significant degree. See, for example, the various alternativesmoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and heat generating sourcesset forth in the background art described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,737 toCollett et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0255702 to Griffith Jr. etal., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Pat.App. Pub. No. 2014/0096781 to Sears et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2014/0096782 to Ampolini et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2015/0059780 toDavis et al., and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/222,615 to Watsonet al., filed Jul. 28, 2016, all of which are incorporated herein byreference. See also, for example, the various implementations ofproducts and heating configurations described in the background sectionsof U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594 to Counts et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,371to Robinson et al., which are incorporated by reference.

However, it may be desirable to provide aerosol delivery devices withimproved electronics such as may extend usability of the devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods offorming such devices, and elements of such devices. The presentdisclosure thus includes, without limitation, the following exampleimplementations.

Some example implementations provide an aerosol delivery devicecomprising at least one housing enclosing a reservoir configured toretain an aerosol precursor composition; a heating element; a powersource connected to an electrical load that includes the heater when thecontrol body is coupled with the cartridge, the power source comprisinga lithium-ion capacitor (LIC) configured to provide power to theelectrical load, and comprising a DC-to-DC converter connected to theLIC, between the LIC and electrical load; and a microprocessorconfigured to operate in an active mode in which the microprocessor isconfigured to direct power from the power source to the heating elementand thereby control the heating element to activate and vaporizecomponents of the aerosol precursor composition.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of thepreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the LIC has a capacity in the range of 200 to 400 farads.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of anypreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the DC-to-DC converter is a switching regulator.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of anypreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the power source further comprises a snubber circuit connectedin parallel with the LIC.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of anypreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the power source further comprises a diode connected to, andbetween, the DC-to-DC converter and electrical load.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of anypreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the DC-to-DC converter has an input and output, and the diodehas an anode and a cathode, and wherein the input and output of theDC-to-DC converter are connected to respectively the LIC and the anodeof the diode, and the cathode of the diode is connected to theelectrical load.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of anypreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the power source further comprises terminals connectable with asource of energy from which the LIC is chargeable.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of anypreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the aerosol precursor composition comprises at least glycerinand nicotine.

Some example implementations provide a control body coupled orcoupleable with a cartridge that is equipped with a heating element andcontains an aerosol precursor composition, the control body beingcoupled or coupleable with the cartridge to form an aerosol deliverydevice in which the heating element is configured to activate andvaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition, the controlbody comprising a power source connected to an electrical load thatincludes the heater when the control body is coupled with the cartridge,the power source comprising a lithium-ion capacitor (LIC) configured toprovide power to the electrical load, and comprising a DC-to-DCconverter connected to the LIC, between the LIC and electrical load; anda microprocessor configured to operate in an active mode in which thecontrol body is coupled with the cartridge, the microprocessor in theactive mode being configured to direct power from the power source tothe heating element and thereby control the heating element to activateand vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition.

In some example implementations of the control body of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, theLIC has a capacity in the range of 200 to 400 farads.

In some example implementations of the control body of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, theDC-to-DC converter is a switching regulator.

In some example implementations of the control body of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, thepower source further comprises a snubber circuit connected in parallelwith the LIC.

In some example implementations of the control body of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, thepower source further comprises a diode connected to, and between, theDC-to-DC converter and electrical load.

In some example implementations of the control body of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, theDC-to-DC converter has an input and output, and the diode has an anodeand a cathode, and wherein the input and output of the DC-to-DCconverter are connected to respectively the LIC and the anode of thediode, and the cathode of the diode is connected to the electrical load.

In some example implementations of the control body of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, thepower source further comprises terminals connectable with a source ofenergy from which the LIC is chargeable.

In some example implementations of the control body of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, theaerosol precursor composition comprises at least glycerin and nicotine.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following detaileddescription together with the accompanying drawings, which are brieflydescribed below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two,three, four or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure,regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combinedor otherwise recited in a specific example implementation describedherein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically such thatany separable features or elements of the disclosure, in any of itsaspects and example implementations, should be viewed as intended,namely to be combinable, unless the context of the disclosure clearlydictates otherwise.

It will therefore be appreciated that this Brief Summary is providedmerely for purposes of summarizing some example implementations so as toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure.Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above described exampleimplementations are merely examples and should not be construed tonarrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. Other exampleimplementations, aspects and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of some described example implementations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the disclosure in the foregoing general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an aerosol delivery device including acartridge coupled to a control body, according to an exampleimplementation of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away view of the aerosol delivery deviceaccording to various example implementations;

FIG. 3 illustrates various elements of a control body and cartridge ofthe aerosol delivery device, according to various exampleimplementations; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a power source for the aerosol delivery device thatincludes a lithium-ion capacitor (LIC), according to exampleimplementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to example implementations thereof. These exampleimplementations are described so that this disclosure will be thoroughand complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to thoseskilled in the art. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theimplementations set forth herein; rather, these implementations areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. As used in the specification and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” “the” and the like include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, while reference maybe made herein to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationshipsor the like, unless otherwise stated, any one or more if not all ofthese may be absolute or approximate to account for acceptablevariations that may occur, such as those due to engineering tolerancesor the like.

As described hereinafter, example implementations of the presentdisclosure relate to aerosol delivery devices. Aerosol delivery devicesaccording to the present disclosure use electrical energy to heat amaterial (preferably without combusting the material to any significantdegree) to form an inhalable substance; and components of such systemshave the form of articles most preferably are sufficiently compact to beconsidered hand-held devices. That is, use of components of preferredaerosol delivery devices does not result in the production of smoke inthe sense that aerosol results principally from by-products ofcombustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather, use of those preferredsystems results in the production of vapors resulting fromvolatilization or vaporization of certain components incorporatedtherein. In some example implementations, components of aerosol deliverydevices may be characterized as electronic cigarettes, and thoseelectronic cigarettes most preferably incorporate tobacco and/orcomponents derived from tobacco, and hence deliver tobacco derivedcomponents in aerosol form.

Aerosol generating pieces of certain preferred aerosol delivery devicesmay provide many of the sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalationrituals, types of tastes or flavors, organoleptic effects, physicalfeel, use rituals, visual cues such as those provided by visibleaerosol, and the like) of smoking a cigarette, cigar or pipe that isemployed by lighting and burning tobacco (and hence inhaling tobaccosmoke), without any substantial degree of combustion of any componentthereof. For example, the user of an aerosol generating piece of thepresent disclosure can hold and use that piece much like a smokeremploys a traditional type of smoking article, draw on one end of thatpiece for inhalation of aerosol produced by that piece, take or drawpuffs at selected intervals of time, and the like.

While the systems are generally described herein in terms ofimplementations associated with aerosol delivery devices such asso-called “e-cigarettes,” it should be understood that the mechanisms,components, features, and methods may be embodied in many differentforms and associated with a variety of articles. For example, thedescription provided herein may be employed in conjunction withimplementations of traditional smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes,cigars, pipes, etc.), heat-not-burn cigarettes, and related packagingfor any of the products disclosed herein. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that the description of the mechanisms, components, features,and methods disclosed herein are discussed in terms of implementationsrelating to aerosol delivery devices by way of example only, and may beembodied and used in various other products and methods.

Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure also can becharacterized as being vapor-producing articles or medicament deliveryarticles. Thus, such articles or devices can be adapted so as to provideone or more substances (e.g., flavors and/or pharmaceutical activeingredients) in an inhalable form or state. For example, inhalablesubstances can be substantially in the form of a vapor (i.e., asubstance that is in the gas phase at a temperature lower than itscritical point). Alternatively, inhalable substances can be in the formof an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquiddroplets in a gas). For purposes of simplicity, the term “aerosol” asused herein is meant to include vapors, gases and aerosols of a form ortype suitable for human inhalation, whether or not visible, and whetheror not of a form that might be considered to be smoke-like.

In use, aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure may besubjected to many of the physical actions employed by an individual inusing a traditional type of smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, cigar orpipe that is employed by lighting and inhaling tobacco). For example,the user of an aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure canhold that article much like a traditional type of smoking article, drawon one end of that article for inhalation of aerosol produced by thatarticle, take puffs at selected intervals of time, etc.

Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure generally include anumber of components provided within an outer body or shell, which maybe referred to as a housing. The overall design of the outer body orshell can vary, and the format or configuration of the outer body thatcan define the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device canvary. Typically, an elongated body resembling the shape of a cigaretteor cigar can be a formed from a single, unitary housing or the elongatedhousing can be formed of two or more separable bodies. For example, anaerosol delivery device can comprise an elongated shell or body that canbe substantially tubular in shape and, as such, resemble the shape of aconventional cigarette or cigar. In one example, all of the componentsof the aerosol delivery device are contained within one housing.Alternatively, an aerosol delivery device can comprise two or morehousings that are joined and are separable. For example, an aerosoldelivery device can possess at one end a control body comprising ahousing containing one or more reusable components (e.g., an accumulatorsuch as a rechargeable battery and/or rechargeable supercapacitor, andvarious electronics for controlling the operation of that article), andat the other end and removably coupleable thereto, an outer body orshell containing a disposable portion (e.g., a disposableflavor-containing cartridge). More specific formats, configurations andarrangements of components within the single housing type of unit orwithin a multi-piece separable housing type of unit will be evident inlight of the further disclosure provided herein. Additionally, variousaerosol delivery device designs and component arrangements can beappreciated upon consideration of the commercially available electronicaerosol delivery devices.

Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure most preferablycomprise some combination of a power source (i.e., an electrical powersource), at least one control component (e.g., means for actuating,controlling, regulating and ceasing power for heat generation, such asby controlling electrical current flow the power source to othercomponents of the article—e.g., a microprocessor, individually or aspart of a microcontroller), a heater or heat generation member (e.g., anelectrical resistance heating element or other component, which alone orin combination with one or more further elements may be commonlyreferred to as an “atomizer”), an aerosol precursor composition (e.g.,commonly a liquid capable of yielding an aerosol upon application ofsufficient heat, such as ingredients commonly referred to as “smokejuice,” “e-liquid” and “e-juice”), and a mouthend region or tip forallowing draw upon the aerosol delivery device for aerosol inhalation(e.g., a defined airflow path through the article such that aerosolgenerated can be withdrawn therefrom upon draw).

Alignment of the components within the aerosol delivery device of thepresent disclosure can vary. In specific implementations, the aerosolprecursor composition can be located near an end of the aerosol deliverydevice which may be configured to be positioned proximal to the mouth ofa user so as to maximize aerosol delivery to the user. Otherconfigurations, however, are not excluded. Generally, the heatingelement can be positioned sufficiently near the aerosol precursorcomposition so that heat from the heating element can volatilize theaerosol precursor (as well as one or more flavorants, medicaments, orthe like that may likewise be provided for delivery to a user) and forman aerosol for delivery to the user. When the heating element heats theaerosol precursor composition, an aerosol is formed, released, orgenerated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by a consumer. Itshould be noted that the foregoing terms are meant to be interchangeablesuch that reference to release, releasing, releases, or releasedincludes form or generate, forming or generating, forms or generates,and formed or generated. Specifically, an inhalable substance isreleased in the form of a vapor or aerosol or mixture thereof, whereinsuch terms are also interchangeably used herein except where otherwisespecified.

As noted above, the aerosol delivery device may incorporate a battery orother electrical power source to provide current flow sufficient toprovide various functionalities to the aerosol delivery device, such aspowering of a heater, powering of control systems, powering ofindicators, and the like. The power source can take on variousimplementations. Preferably, the power source is able to deliversufficient power to rapidly heat the heating element to provide foraerosol formation and power the aerosol delivery device through use fora desired duration of time. The power source preferably is sized to fitconveniently within the aerosol delivery device so that the aerosoldelivery device can be easily handled. Additionally, a preferred powersource is of a sufficiently light weight to not detract from a desirablesmoking experience.

More specific formats, configurations and arrangements of componentswithin the aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure will beevident in light of the further disclosure provided hereinafter.Additionally, the selection and arrangement of various aerosol deliverydevice components can be appreciated upon consideration ofcommercially-available electronic aerosol delivery devices. Furtherinformation regarding formats, configurations and arrangements ofcomponents within the aerosol delivery devices of the presentdisclosure, as well as commercially-available electronic aerosoldelivery devices, may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/291,771 to Sur et al., filed Oct. 12, 2016, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an aerosol delivery device 100including a control body 102 and a cartridge 104, according to variousexample implementations of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 1illustrates the control body and the cartridge coupled to one another.The control body and the cartridge may be detachably aligned in afunctioning relationship. Various mechanisms may connect the cartridgeto the control body to result in a threaded engagement, a press-fitengagement, an interference fit, a magnetic engagement or the like. Theaerosol delivery device may be substantially rod-like, substantiallytubular shaped, or substantially cylindrically shaped in some exampleimplementations when the cartridge and the control body are in anassembled configuration. The aerosol delivery device may also besubstantially rectangular, rhomboidal or triangular in cross-section,multifaceted shapes, or the like, some of which may lend itself togreater compatibility with a substantially flat or thin-film powersource, such as a power source including a flat battery.

The cartridge and control body may include separate, respective housingsor outer bodies, which may be formed of any of a number of differentmaterials. The housing may be formed of any suitable, structurally-soundmaterial. In some examples, the housing may be formed of a metal oralloy, such as stainless steel, aluminum or the like. Other suitablematerials include various plastics (e.g., polycarbonate), metal-platingover plastic, ceramics and the like.

In some example implementations, one or both of the control body 102 orthe cartridge 104 of the aerosol delivery device 100 may be referred toas being disposable or as being reusable. For example, the control bodymay have a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery and thus may becombined with any type of recharging technology, including connection toa typical wall outlet, connection to a car charger (i.e., a cigarettelighter receptacle), connection to a computer, such as through auniversal serial bus (USB) cable or connector, connection to aphotovoltaic cell (sometimes referred to as a solar cell) or solar panelof solar cells, or connection to a RF-to-DC converter. Further, in someexample implementations, the cartridge may comprise a single-usecartridge, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,639 to Chang et al.,which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 2 more particularly illustrates the aerosol delivery device 100, inaccordance with some example implementations. As seen in the cut-awayview illustrated therein, again, the aerosol delivery device cancomprise a control body 102 and a cartridge 104 each of which include anumber of respective components. The components illustrated in

FIG. 2 are representative of the components that may be present in acontrol body and cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope ofcomponents that are encompassed by the present disclosure. As shown, forexample, the control body can be formed of a control body shell 206 thatcan include a control component 208 (e.g., a microprocessor,individually or as part of a microcontroller), a flow sensor 210, apower source 212 and one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 214, andsuch components can be variably aligned. The power source may include,for example, a battery (single-use or rechargeable), rechargeablesupercapacitor, rechargeable solid-state battery (SSB), rechargeablelithium-ion battery (LiB) or the like, or some combination thereof. Someexamples of a suitable power source are provided in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/918,926 to Sur et al., filed Oct. 21, 2015,which again is incorporated herein by reference. Other examples of asuitable power source are provided in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2014/0283855 to Hawes et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0014125 toFernando et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0243410 to Nichols et al.,U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2010/0313901 to Fernando et al., and U.S. Pat.App. Pub. No. 2009/0230117 to Fernando et al., all of which areincorporated herein by reference.

The LED 214 may be one example of a suitable visual indicator with whichthe aerosol delivery device 100 may be equipped. Other indicators suchas audio indicators (e.g., speakers), haptic indicators (e.g., vibrationmotors) or the like can be included in addition to or as an alternativeto visual indicators such as the LED, quantum dot enabled LEDs.

The cartridge 104 can be formed of a cartridge shell 216 enclosing areservoir 218 configured to retain the aerosol precursor composition,and including a heater 222 (sometimes referred to as a heating element).In various configurations, this structure may be referred to as a tank;and accordingly, the terms “cartridge,” “tank” and the like may be usedinterchangeably to refer to a shell or other housing enclosing areservoir for aerosol precursor composition, and including a heater.

As shown, in some examples, the reservoir 218 may be in fluidcommunication with a liquid transport element 220 adapted to wick orotherwise transport an aerosol precursor composition stored in thereservoir housing to the heater 222. In some examples, a valve may bepositioned between the reservoir and heater, and configured to controlan amount of aerosol precursor composition passed or delivered from thereservoir to the heater.

Various examples of materials configured to produce heat when electricalcurrent is applied therethrough may be employed to form the heater 222.The heater in these examples may be a resistive heating element such asa wire coil, micro heater or the like. Example materials from which theheating element may be formed include Kanthal (FeCrAl), Nichrome,stainless steel, Molybdenum disilicide (MoSi₂), molybdenum silicide(MoSi), Molybdenum disilicide doped with Aluminum (Mo(Si,Al)₂), graphiteand graphite-based materials (e.g., carbon-based foams and yarns) andceramics (e.g., positive or negative temperature coefficient ceramics).Example implementations of heaters or heating members useful in aerosoldelivery devices according to the present disclosure are furtherdescribed below, and can be incorporated into devices such as thosedescribed herein.

An opening 224 may be present in the cartridge shell 216 (e.g., at themouthend) to allow for egress of formed aerosol from the cartridge 104.

The cartridge 104 also may include one or more electronic components226, which may include an integrated circuit, a memory component (e.g.,EEPROM, flash memory), a sensor, or the like. The electronic componentsmay be adapted to communicate with the control component 208 and/or withan external device by wired or wireless means. The electronic componentsmay be positioned anywhere within the cartridge or a base 228 thereof.

Although the control component 208 and the flow sensor 210 areillustrated separately, it is understood that various electroniccomponents including the control component and the flow sensor may becombined on an electronic printed circuit board (PCB) that supports andelectrically connects the electronic components. Further, the PCB may bepositioned horizontally relative the illustration of FIG. 1 in that thePCB can be lengthwise parallel to the central axis of the control body.In some examples, the air flow sensor may comprise its own PCB or otherbase element to which it can be attached. In some examples, a flexiblePCB may be utilized. A flexible PCB may be configured into a variety ofshapes, include substantially tubular shapes. In some examples, aflexible PCB may be combined with, layered onto, or form part or all ofa heater substrate.

The control body 102 and the cartridge 104 may include componentsadapted to facilitate a fluid engagement therebetween. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the control body can include a coupler 230 having a cavity 232therein. The base 228 of the cartridge can be adapted to engage thecoupler and can include a projection 234 adapted to fit within thecavity. Such engagement can facilitate a stable connection between thecontrol body and the cartridge as well as establish an electricalconnection between the power source 212 and control component 208 in thecontrol body and the heater 222 in the cartridge. Further, the controlbody shell 206 can include an air intake 236, which may be a notch inthe shell where it connects to the coupler that allows for passage ofambient air around the coupler and into the shell where it then passesthrough the cavity 232 of the coupler and into the cartridge through theprojection 234.

A coupler and a base useful according to the present disclosure aredescribed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al., whichis incorporated herein by reference. For example, the coupler 230 asseen in FIG. 2 may define an outer periphery 238 configured to mate withan inner periphery 240 of the base 228. In one example the innerperiphery of the base may define a radius that is substantially equalto, or slightly greater than, a radius of the outer periphery of thecoupler. Further, the coupler may define one or more protrusions 242 atthe outer periphery configured to engage one or more recesses 244defined at the inner periphery of the base. However, various otherexamples of structures, shapes and components may be employed to couplethe base to the coupler. In some examples the connection between thebase of the cartridge 104 and the coupler of the control body 102 may besubstantially permanent, whereas in other examples the connectiontherebetween may be releasable such that, for example, the control bodymay be reused with one or more additional cartridges that may bedisposable and/or refillable.

The reservoir 218 illustrated in FIG. 2 can be a container or can be afibrous reservoir, as presently described. For example, the reservoircan comprise one or more layers of nonwoven fibers substantially formedinto the shape of a tube encircling the interior of the cartridge shell216, in this example. An aerosol precursor composition can be retainedin the reservoir. Liquid components, for example, can be sorptivelyretained by the reservoir. The reservoir can be in fluid connection withthe liquid transport element 220. The liquid transport element cantransport the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir viacapillary action to the heater 222 that is in the form of a metal wirecoil in this example. As such, the heater is in a heating arrangementwith the liquid transport element. Example implementations of reservoirsand transport elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according tothe present disclosure are further described below, and such reservoirsand/or transport elements can be incorporated into devices such as thosedescribed herein. In particular, specific combinations of heatingmembers and transport elements as further described below may beincorporated into devices such as those described herein.

In use, when a user draws on the aerosol delivery device 100, airflow isdetected by the flow sensor 210, and the heater 222 is activated tovaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition. Drawing uponthe mouthend of the aerosol delivery device causes ambient air to enterthe air intake 236 and pass through the cavity 232 in the coupler 230and the central opening in the projection 234 of the base 228. In thecartridge 104, the drawn air combines with the formed vapor to form anaerosol. The aerosol is whisked, aspirated or otherwise drawn away fromthe heater and out the opening 224 in the mouthend of the aerosoldelivery device.

In some examples, the aerosol delivery device 100 may include a numberof additional software-controlled functions. For example, the aerosoldelivery device may include a power-source protection circuit configuredto detect power-source input, loads on the power-source terminals, andcharging input. The power-source protection circuit may includeshort-circuit protection, under-voltage lock out and/or over-voltagecharge protection, battery temperature compensation. The aerosoldelivery device may also include components for ambient temperaturemeasurement, and its control component 208 may be configured to controlat least one functional element to inhibit power-sourcecharging—particularly of any battery—if the ambient temperature is belowa certain temperature (e.g., 0° C.) or above a certain temperature(e.g., 45° C.) prior to start of charging or during charging.

Power delivery from the power source 212 may vary over the course ofeach puff on the device 100 according to a power control mechanism. Thedevice may include a “long puff” safety timer such that in the eventthat a user or component failure (e.g., flow sensor 210) causes thedevice to attempt to puff continuously, the control component 208 maycontrol at least one functional element to terminate the puffautomatically after some period of time (e.g., four seconds). Further,the time between puffs on the device may be restricted to less than aperiod of time (e.g., 100 seconds). A watchdog safety timer mayautomatically reset the aerosol delivery device if its control componentor software running on it becomes unstable and does not service thetimer within an appropriate time interval (e.g., eight seconds). Furthersafety protection may be provided in the event of a defective orotherwise failed flow sensor 210, such as by permanently disabling theaerosol delivery device in order to prevent inadvertent heating. Apuffing limit switch may deactivate the device in the event of apressure sensor fail causing the device to continuously activate withoutstopping after the four second maximum puff time.

The aerosol delivery device 100 may include a puff tracking algorithmconfigured for heater lockout once a defined number of puffs has beenachieved for an attached cartridge (based on the number of availablepuffs calculated in light of the e-liquid charge in the cartridge). Theaerosol delivery device may include a sleep, standby or low-power modefunction whereby power delivery may be automatically cut off after adefined period of non-use. Further safety protection may be provided inthat all charge/discharge cycles of the power source 212 may bemonitored by the control component 208 over its lifetime. After thepower source has attained the equivalent of a predetermined number(e.g., 200) of full discharge and full recharge cycles, it may bedeclared depleted, and the control component may control at least onefunctional element to prevent further charging of the power source.

The various components of an aerosol delivery device according to thepresent disclosure can be chosen from components described in the artand commercially available. Examples of batteries that can be usedaccording to the disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,484,155 toPeckerar et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

The aerosol delivery device 100 can incorporate the sensor 210 oranother sensor or detector for control of supply of electric power tothe heater 222 when aerosol generation is desired (e.g., upon drawduring use). As such, for example, there is provided a manner or methodof turning off power to the heater when the aerosol delivery device isnot be drawn upon during use, and for turning on power to actuate ortrigger the generation of heat by the heater during draw. Additionalrepresentative types of sensing or detection mechanisms, structure andconfiguration thereof, components thereof, and general methods ofoperation thereof, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel,Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., and PCT Pat. App.Pub. No. WO 2010/003480 to Flick, all of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

The aerosol delivery device 100 most preferably incorporates the controlcomponent 208 or another control mechanism for controlling the amount ofelectric power to the heater 222 during draw. Representative types ofelectronic components, structure and configuration thereof, featuresthereof, and general methods of operation thereof, are described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,874 to Brooks etal., U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., U.S. Pat. No.6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen etal., U.S. Pat. No. 8,205,622 to Pan, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 8,881,737to Collet et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,423,152 to Ampolini et al., U.S. Pat.No. 9,439,454 to Fernando et al., and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2015/0257445 to Henry et al., all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

Representative types of substrates, reservoirs or other components forsupporting the aerosol precursor are described in U.S. Pat. No.8,528,569 to Newton, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0261487 to Chapman etal., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2015/0059780 to Davis et al., and U.S. Pat.App. Pub. No. 2015/0216232 to Bless et al., all of which areincorporated herein by reference. Additionally, various wickingmaterials, and the configuration and operation of those wickingmaterials within certain types of electronic cigarettes, are set forthin U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,640 to Sears et al., which is incorporated hereinby reference.

The aerosol precursor composition, also referred to as a vapor precursorcomposition, may comprise a variety of components including, by way ofexample, a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol or amixture thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extract and/or flavorants.Representative types of aerosol precursor components and formulationsalso are set forth and characterized in U.S. Pat. No. 7,217,320 toRobinson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,254,002 to Chong et al., U.S. Pat. No.8,881,737 to Collett et al., U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0008457 to Zheng etal., U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2015/0020823 to Lipowicz et al., and U.S. Pat.Pub. No. 2015/0020830 to Koller, as well as PCT Pat. App. Pub. No. WO2014/182736 to Bowen et al., and U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/222,615 to Watson et al., filed Jul. 28, 2016, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference. Other aerosol precursorsthat may be employed include the aerosol precursors that have beenincorporated in the VUSE® product by R. J. Reynolds Vapor Company, theBLU™ product by Imperial Tobacco Group PLC, the MISTIC MENTHOL productby Mistic Ecigs, and the VYPE product by CN Creative Ltd. Also desirableare the so-called “smoke juices” for electronic cigarettes that havebeen available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC.

Implementations of effervescent materials can be used with the aerosolprecursor, and are described, by way of example, in U.S. Pat. App. Pub.No. 2012/0055494 to Hunt et al., which is incorporated herein byreference. Further, the use of effervescent materials is described, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,368 to Niazi et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,178,878 to Wehling et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,264 to Wehling et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,590 to Pather et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,381,667 toBergquist et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,541 to Crawford et al., and U.S.Pat. No. 8,627,828 to Strickland et al., as well as U.S. Pat. No.9,307,787 to Sun et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2010/0018539 toBrinkley et al., and PCT Pat. App. Pub. No. WO 97/06786 to Johnson etal., all of which are incorporated by reference herein. Additionaldescription with respect to implementations of aerosol precursorcompositions, including description of tobacco or components derivedfrom tobacco included therein, is provided in U.S. patent applicationSer. Nos. 15/216,582 and 15/216,590, each filed Jul. 21, 2016 and eachto Davis et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.

Additional representative types of components that yield visual cues orindicators may be employed in the aerosol delivery device 100, such asvisual indicators and related components, audio indicators, hapticindicators and the like. Examples of suitable LED components, and theconfigurations and uses thereof, are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,499,766 to Newton, U.S.Pat. No. 8,539,959 to Scatterday, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,451,791 to Searset al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Yet other features, controls or components that can be incorporated intoaerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure are described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,289 to Watkinset al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al., U.S. Pat. No.6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,742 to Hon, U.S.Pat. No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2005/0016550 to Katase, U.S. Pat. No. 8,689,804 to Fernando et al., U.S.Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0192623 to Tucker et al., U.S. Pat. No.9,427,022 to Leven et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0180553 to Kimet al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S.Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al., and U.S. Pat. No.9,220,302 to DePiano et al., all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

As indicated above, the control component 208 includes a number ofelectronic components, and in some examples may be formed of a PCB. Theelectronic components may include a microprocessor or processor core,and a memory. In some examples, the control component may include amicrocontroller with integrated processor core and memory, and mayfurther include one or more integrated input/output peripherals. In someexamples, the control component may be coupled to a communicationinterface 246 to enable wireless communication with one or morenetworks, computing devices or other appropriately-enabled devices.Examples of suitable communication interfaces are disclosed in U.S. Pat.App. Pub. No. 2016/0261020 to Marion et al., the content of which isincorporated herein by reference. Another example of a suitablecommunication interface is the CC3200 single chip wirelessmicrocontroller unit (MCU) from Texas Instruments. And examples ofsuitable manners according to which the aerosol delivery device may beconfigured to wirelessly communicate are disclosed in U.S. Pat. App.Pub. No. 2016/0007651 to Ampolini et al., and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2016/0219933 to Henry, Jr. et al., each of which is incorporated hereinby reference.

In accordance with some example implementations, the control component208 may include or be coupled to a motion sensor 248 configured todetect a defined motion of the aerosol delivery device 100 thatindicates a vulnerability of the aerosol delivery device. The motionsensor may be any of a number of sensors that may be configured todetect the defined motion, convert the defined motion to an electricalsignal and output the electrical signal. Examples of suitable motionsensors include single or combinations of tilt sensors, single ormulti-axis accelerometers, gyroscopes and the like, any one or more ofwhich may be constructed using microelectromechanical systems-based(MEMS) techniques.

The motion sensor 248 may be configured to convert the defined motion toan electrical signal. The control component 208 or motion sensor may beconfigured to recognize the vulnerability and an operation associatedwith the vulnerability based on the electrical signal. In some examples,the defined motion detectable by the motion sensor may includevibration, shock or freefall. Consider in particular examples in whichthe motion sensor is an accelerometer. In these examples, vibration maybe detectable by a periodic acceleration of at least a threshold amount.Additionally or alternatively, shock may be detectable by at least athreshold amount of acceleration for less than a threshold period oftime, or freefall may be detectable by less than a threshold amount ofacceleration for at least a threshold period of time.

The control component may then be configured to control at least onefunctional element of the aerosol delivery device 100 to perform theoperation, which may be thereby performed in response to detection ofthe vulnerability. For example, the control component may be configuredto shut off the power source 212, which may be thereby shut off inresponse to detection of the vulnerability of the aerosol deliverydevice. For more information regarding this aspect, see U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/961,421 to Sur et al., filed Dec. 7, 2015, whichis incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with some example implementations, the control component208 may be configured to control one or more functional elements of theaerosol delivery device 100 in different states of the device. FIG. 3illustrates the control body 102 coupled with the cartridge 104 in anactive mode. As shown, the control body may include positive andnegative terminals 302, 304 connectable with corresponding terminals ofthe heater 222 (heating element). The control component 208 may includea microprocessor 306 and a number of other electrical components, suchas resistors, capacitors, switches and the like, which may be coupledwith the power source 212 and heater to form an electrical circuit. Insome examples, the heater may include a communication terminal forcommunicating data such as the puff count.

In accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure,the microprocessor 306 may be configured to measure the voltage at thepositive terminal 302 and control power to the heater 222 based thereon.In some examples, the microprocessor may also control operation of atleast one functional element of the aerosol delivery device 100 based onthe voltage at the positive terminal. One example of a suitablefunctional element may be an indicator 308 such as a visual, audio orhaptic indicator.

The microprocessor 306 may operate on the actual voltage at the positiveterminal 302, or an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) may be included toconvert the actual voltage to a digital equivalent. In some examples,the ADC may be rated for a maximum voltage less than the maximum thatmay be present at the positive terminal. In these examples, the controlcomponent 208 may include a voltage divider 310 configured to reduce thevoltage to the microprocessor. As shown, for example, the voltagedivider may include resistors R1 and R2, and may be connected to, andpositioned between, the positive terminal and microprocessor, referencedto ground. The microprocessor may be configured to measure the voltageat the positive terminal from the voltage divider. In this regard, thevoltage divider may include an output connected to the microprocessorand from which the microprocessor may be configured to measure thevoltage at the positive terminal.

In examples in which the aerosol delivery device 100 has a housingformed of separable bodies, the aerosol delivery device, and moreparticularly the control component 102, may be in the standby mode whenthe control component is uncoupled with the cartridge 104. In examplesof either a unitary or separable housing, the aerosol delivery devicemay be in the standby mode between puffs when the control component iscoupled with the cartridge. Similarly, in examples of either a unitaryor separable housing, when the user draws on the device and the flowsensor 210 detects airflow, the aerosol delivery device may be placed inthe active mode during which power from the power source 212 may bedirected through the sensor to power the heater 222 to activate andvaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition. In anotherexample, power from the power source may more directly power the heaterwithout going through the sensor (without the sensor being in-line),although the flow sensor may still detect airflow when the user draws onthe device. As indicated above, power delivery from the power source mayvary according to a power control mechanism; and in some examples, thispower control mechanism may depend on a measured voltage at the positiveterminal 302.

In the active mode in which the control body 102 is coupled with thecartridge 104 (with a unitary or separable housing), the microprocessor306 may be configured to direct power to the heater 222 to activate andvaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition. The voltage atthe positive terminal 302 may correspond to a positive heater voltage.The microprocessor may be configured to measure the positive heatervoltage, such as from the voltage divider 310, and control the powerdirected to the heater based thereon.

In some more particular examples, the microprocessor 306 may beconfigured to direct power from the power source 212 (e.g., directly orthrough the flow sensor 210) to turn the heater 222 on andcommensurately initiate a heating time period. This may include, forexample, a switch Q1 between the power source (or in-line flow sensor)and the heater, which the microprocessor may operate in a closed state,as shown in FIG. 3. The microprocessor may then adjust the powerdirected to the heater based on the voltage at the positive terminal302, at a periodic rate until expiration of the heating time period.

In some examples, this adjustment of power directed to the heater 222may include the microprocessor 306 being configured to determine amoving window of measurements of instantaneous actual power directed tothe heater, with each measurement of the window of measurements beingdetermined as a product of the positive heater voltage and a currentthrough the heater. This current may be measured in a number ofdifferent manners, such as from a current-sense resistor R3. In someexamples, the microprocessor may operate on the actual current throughthe heater, or the control component 208 or microprocessor may includean ADC configured to convert the actual current to a digital equivalent.

The microprocessor 306 may calculate a simple moving average powerdirected to the heater 222 based on the moving window of measurements ofinstantaneous actual power, and compare the simple moving average powerto a selected power set point associated with the power source 212. Themicroprocessor may then adjust the power directed to the heater so as toturn the heater off or on at the periodic rate at each instance in whichthe simple moving average power is respectively above or below theselected power set point. More information regarding aspects of thecontrol component according to example implementations of the presentdisclosure may be found in the above-cited and incorporated U.S. Pat.App. Pub. No. 2014/0270727 to Ampolini et al.

As indicated above, in some examples, the power source 212 includes arechargeable supercapacitor. The supercapacitor may be any of a numberof different types of supercapacitors, such as an electric double-layercapacitor (EDLC), a hybrid capacitor such as a lithium-ion capacitor(LIC), or the like. FIG. 4 more particularly illustrates the powersource 212 including an LIC according to various example implementationsof the present disclosure. As shown, the power source may be connectedto an electrical load 402 that includes the heater 222 when the controlbody 102 is coupled with the cartridge 104. More particularly, theelectrical load may include the control component 208 (and itselectrical components including the voltage divider 310) and heater,which explained above, may be coupled with the power source to form anelectrical circuit. This may additionally include, for example, the flowsensor 210, indicator 308 and the like.

As shown, the power source 212 includes an LIC configured to providepower to the electrical load 402. Hybrid capacitors such as the LICgenerally have features of a battery such as high voltage and highenergy density, while maintaining the traditional characteristics of acapacitor such as rapid charge (e.g., three seconds), high durability,safety and environmental friendliness. In some examples, the LIC has acapacity in the range of 200 to 400 farads, which gives it an energydensity approximately 33% greater than that of a nominal LiB with thesame or a similar form factor. A hybrid capacitor is also rechargeable,and has the ability to operate on its own for a longer period withoutthe need of another source of energy from which the hybrid capacitor maybe chargeable. The hybrid capacitor may also have a longer lifetime(e.g., 10 years) and cycle life as compared to other options, and ismore environmentally friendly.

In some examples, a snubber circuit 404 may be connected in parallelwith the LIC. In one example implementation, a LIC rated at 3.8 voltsmay include a parallel-connected snubber circuit to help maintain theLIC at least at 2.2 volts.

In some examples, the power source 212 may further include terminals406, 408 connectable with a source of energy from which the LIC may bechargeable. The source of energy may be any of a number of differenttypes, such as various rechargers configured to operate in a mannersimilar to a battery charger. In other examples, the source of energymay be or include a battery.

As also shown, in some examples, the power source 212 may furtherinclude other components such as a DC-to-DC converter 410 and/or a diodeD. FIG. 4 illustrates the power source including both a DC-to-DCconverter and diode, but it should be understood that the power sourcemay include either without the other. In some examples, the DC-to-DCconverter is a switching regulator, which may avoid too fast dischargeof the LIC, and facilitate a uniform dissipation of current so that theLIC provides constant power to the electrical load 402. The diode mayfacilitate current flow into the electrical load, and prevent currentflow back, when the capacitor is discharged.

The DC-to-DC converter 410 may be connected to the LIC, between the LICand electrical load 402. As shown, in some more particular examples, thediode D may be connected to, and between, the DC-to-DC converter andelectrical load. And in at least some of these examples, an input andoutput of the DC-to-DC converter may be connected to respectively theLIC and anode of the diode, and the cathode of the diode may beconnected to the electrical load.

The foregoing description of use of the article(s) can be applied to thevarious example implementations described herein through minormodifications, which can be apparent to the person of skill in the artin light of the further disclosure provided herein. The abovedescription of use, however, is not intended to limit the use of thearticle but is provided to comply with all necessary requirements ofdisclosure of the present disclosure. Any of the elements shown in thearticle(s) illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 or as otherwise described above maybe included in an aerosol delivery device according to the presentdisclosure.

Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thisdisclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specificimplementations disclosed, and that modifications and otherimplementations are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and theassociated drawings describe example implementations in the context ofcertain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions maybe provided by alternative implementations without departing from thescope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, differentcombinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitlydescribed above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of theappended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aerosol delivery device comprising: at leastone housing enclosing a reservoir configured to retain an aerosolprecursor composition; a heating element; a power source connected to anelectrical load that includes the heater when the control body iscoupled with the cartridge, the power source comprising a lithium-ioncapacitor (LIC) configured to provide power to the electrical load, andcomprising a DC-to-DC converter connected to the LIC, between the LICand electrical load; and a microprocessor configured to operate in anactive mode in which the microprocessor is configured to direct powerfrom the power source to the heating element and thereby control theheating element to activate and vaporize components of the aerosolprecursor composition.
 2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1,wherein the LIC has a capacity in the range of 200 to 400 farads.
 3. Theaerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the DC-to-DC converter is aswitching regulator.
 4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, whereinthe power source further comprises a snubber circuit connected inparallel with the LIC.
 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1,wherein the power source further comprises a diode connected to, andbetween, the DC-to-DC converter and electrical load.
 6. The aerosoldelivery device of claim 5, wherein the DC-to-DC converter has an inputand output, and the diode has an anode and a cathode, and wherein theinput and output of the DC-to-DC converter are connected to respectivelythe LIC and the anode of the diode, and the cathode of the diode isconnected to the electrical load.
 7. The aerosol delivery device ofclaim 1, wherein the power source further comprises terminalsconnectable with a source of energy from which the LIC is chargeable. 8.The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the aerosol precursorcomposition comprises at least glycerin and nicotine.
 9. A control bodycoupled or coupleable with a cartridge that is equipped with a heatingelement and contains an aerosol precursor composition, the control bodybeing coupled or coupleable with the cartridge to form an aerosoldelivery device in which the heating element is configured to activateand vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition, thecontrol body comprising: a power source connected to an electrical loadthat includes the heater when the control body is coupled with thecartridge, the power source comprising a lithium-ion capacitor (LIC)configured to provide power to the electrical load, and comprising aDC-to-DC converter connected to the LIC, between the LIC and electricalload; and a microprocessor configured to operate in an active mode inwhich the control body is coupled with the cartridge, the microprocessorin the active mode being configured to direct power from the powersource to the heating element and thereby control the heating element toactivate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition.10. The control body of claim 9, wherein the LIC has a capacity in therange of 200 to 400 farads.
 11. The control body of claim 9, wherein theDC-to-DC converter is a switching regulator.
 12. The control body ofclaim 9, wherein the power source further comprises a snubber circuitconnected in parallel with the LIC.
 13. The control body of claim 9,wherein the power source further comprises a diode connected to, andbetween, the DC-to-DC converter and electrical load.
 14. The controlbody of claim 13, wherein the DC-to-DC converter has an input andoutput, and the diode has an anode and a cathode, and wherein the inputand output of the DC-to-DC converter are connected to respectively theLIC and the anode of the diode, and the cathode of the diode isconnected to the electrical load.
 15. The control body of claim 9,wherein the power source further comprises terminals connectable with asource of energy from which the LIC is chargeable.
 16. The control bodyof claim 9, wherein the aerosol precursor composition comprises at leastglycerin and nicotine.